Mustangs win fourth straight county volleyball tournament (updated)
The Isabella Varsity volleyball team won its fourth consecutive county tournament title on Saturday morning, knocking off the Jemison Panthers two sets to one.
The tournament got started at 9 a.m. with a match-up between Chilton County High School and Thorsby, with the Rebels eliminating the Tigers two sets to one.
Game 2 of the day would match up the Jemison Panthers and the Maplesville Red Devils. The Panthers made fast work of the Red Devils, winning the match-up in straight sets, 25-12 and 25-19.
Isabella faced off against Thorsby in Game 3, with the Mustangs winning in straight sets, 25-20 and 25-12.
The Mustangs took on the Panthers in the championship game, and despite dropping the first set, 25-13, in the best-of-three series, the Mustangs battled back to win back-to-back sets, 25-18 and 15-11.
“We didn’t play our best, but we found a way again,” IHS coach Glen Graham said. “We dug ourselves a big hole against Jemison.
“It’s exciting for the kids and the coaches. It’s hard enough to win one, but to win that many straight is an accomplishment because everybody is shooting for you.”
Isabella’s Landy Griffith was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The all-tournament team also included Maplesville’s Alexus Nix, Chilton County’s Kacy Sanders, Isabella’s Unique Robinson and Sarah Graham, Thorsby’s Sabrina Ellison and Jemison’s Denten Ellison.
Griffith posted nine kills, two assists, four aces and five digs in the tournament.
Robinson had 10 kills and nine blocks, Graham had seven kills and two digs, and Kacie Adams had 10 assists, five kills and one block.
Isabella’s junior varsity team also won its fourth consecutive Chilton County Tournament.
The Mustangs defeated Jemison (25-15, 25-15) and Chilton County High School in the championship game (25-18, 25-14).
Makaela Littleton (nine aces, three kills, three assists and one block) and Sofi Biancalama (five kills and two aces) were named to the all-tournament team.
Audrey Fancher posted seven kills and two blocks for IHS, and Hailey Underwood had six aces, three kills and three assists.
Isabella’s middle school team won the first county tournament to include the four Chilton County teams.
In round-robin action, the Mustangs defeated Jemison (27-25, 25-20), Thorsby (25-18, 25-10) and Clanton (25-12, 25-8).
Jayda Jones was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after posted 20 aces and three kills.
Sophie Underwood (18 assists, 10 kills and six aces) and Kinley Tuttle (17 kills and three blocks) were also named to the all-tournament team.
Synia Chattman pitched in 13 kills.
Editor’s note: Brandon Sumrall contributed to this report.